I’ve been making these Texas Toast Sloppy Joes for weekend family dinners and casual gatherings for years. The combination of the crispy, buttery toast with the saucy meat filling creates a delightful contrast of textures that elevates the humble Sloppy Joe to something truly special. Plus, the Texas toast acts as the perfect sturdy base to hold all that delicious filling without falling apart – though you’ll still want to keep plenty of napkins handy!
Why I Love These
These Texas Toast Sloppy Joes combine nostalgic comfort food with an irresistible buttery crunch that makes them simply unforgettable.
The thick Texas toast stands up perfectly to the saucy filling, creating the ideal bite with no soggy bread disasters.
I make these whenever I need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that comes together quickly with ingredients I usually have on hand.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup bottled barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 box (8 slices) frozen garlic Texas toast
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or more to taste)
How To Make
- Brown and crumble 1 pound ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease.
- Return meat to skillet and add diced tomatoes, ketchup, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar. Stir until well combined.
- Cover and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes. While this is cooking, prepare the frozen garlic Texas toast according to package directions.
- When garlic Texas toast is ready, spoon the filling on top of each slice and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. If you prefer melted cheese, you can put these in the oven briefly to brown the cheese on top.
Nutrition
Texas Toast Sloppy Joes offer a protein-rich meal thanks to the ground beef, though they’re definitely on the heartier side with the buttery Texas toast. This dish provides a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, making it satisfying and energizing for active individuals or growing kids.
For a lighter version, consider using lean ground beef (90/10) or ground turkey to reduce saturated fat content. The vegetable content can easily be increased by adding more bell peppers, grated carrots, or even finely chopped mushrooms to the meat mixture, boosting fiber and nutrients without sacrificing flavor.
This recipe contains common allergens like dairy (in the butter and cheese) and wheat (in the Texas toast). For those with dietary restrictions, the cheese can be omitted or replaced with dairy-free alternatives, and gluten-free Texas-style bread can be substituted for traditional Texas toast.
Tips & Variations
- The Sloppy Joe mixture can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated, making this perfect for busy weeknights – just reheat and toast the bread when ready to serve.
- For a smoky twist, add a tablespoon of bourbon or liquid smoke to the sauce, or substitute half the ground beef with ground chorizo for a spicy kick.
- Make it gluten-free by using thick-sliced gluten-free bread brushed with garlic butter, or create a lower-carb version by serving the mixture over roasted portobello mushroom caps instead of toast.
Ways To Serve Them
- With a side of crispy sweet potato fries and a tangy coleslaw for the perfect comfort food meal
- Alongside a fresh green salad dressed with vinaigrette to cut through the richness
- With dill pickle spears and kettle-cooked potato chips for a classic diner experience
- For game day gatherings, serve as sliders on mini Texas toast squares with extra napkins and cold beer
Proper Storage
- Fridge: Store the cooled Sloppy Joe filling in an airtight container separate from the Texas toast for up to 3 days. The meat mixture actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
- Freezer: The meat mixture freezes excellently for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Do not freeze the assembled sandwiches or Texas toast.
- Reheat: Warm the meat mixture in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of water if needed to reach desired consistency. Toast fresh Texas toast just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup ketchup
- ½ cup bottled barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 box (8 slices) frozen garlic Texas toast
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or more to taste)
Steps
- Brown and crumble 1 pound ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess grease.
- Return meat to skillet and add diced tomatoes, ketchup, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar. Stir until well combined.
- Cover and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes. While this is cooking, prepare the frozen garlic Texas toast according to package directions.
- When garlic Texas toast is ready, spoon the filling on top of each slice and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. If you prefer melted cheese, you can put these in the oven briefly to brown the cheese on top.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 570 kcal
Notes
- The Sloppy Joe mixture can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated, making this perfect for busy weeknights – just reheat and toast the bread when ready to serve.
- For a smoky twist, add a tablespoon of bourbon or liquid smoke to the sauce, or substitute half the ground beef with ground chorizo for a spicy kick.
- Make it gluten-free by using thick-sliced gluten-free bread brushed with garlic butter, or create a lower-carb version by serving the mixture over roasted portobello mushroom caps instead of toast.